Electromagnetic structure having a core element that extends magnetic coupling around opposing surfaces of a circular magnetic structure

ABSTRACT

An electromagnetic structure comprises a rotor assembly having at least one circular magnetic structure. The structure has opposing first and second surfaces that extend around a peripheral boundary region. A plurality of emission regions are disposed along said peripheral boundary region, with each emission region presenting poles having opposite polarities of a first polarity and a second polarity on the opposing first and second surfaces of the circular magnetic structure. Adjacent emission regions have alternating pole orientations such that each emission source having the first polarity is between two emission sources having the second polarity and each emission source having the second polarity is between two emission sources having the first polarity. A rotational element rotates the at least one circular magnetic structure about a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the opposing first and second surfaces.

CLAIMING BENEFIT OF PRIOR FILED U.S. APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/455,850 filed Oct. 27, 2010, Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/455,337 filed Oct. 19, 2010, and Provisional Application No.61/400,995 filed Sep. 17, 2010, which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for powergeneration. More particularly, the present invention relates to a systemand method for power generation using multi-pole magnetic structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A key principle of operation of an alternating-current (AC) motor isthat a permanent magnet will rotate so as to maintain its alignmentwithin an external rotating magnetic field. This effect is the basis forthe early AC motors including the “Electro Magnetic Motor” for whichNikola Tesla received U.S. Pat. No. 381,968 on May 1, 1888. On Jan. 19,1938, Marius Lavet received French Patent 823,395 for the stepper motorwhich he first used in quartz watches. Stepper motors divide a motor'sfull rotation into a discrete number of steps. By controlling the timesduring which electromagnets around the motor are activated anddeactivated, a motor's position can be controlled precisely. Methods forgenerating power using magnetic structures are known. Also known aremagnetizable material that can be magnetized to have a pattern ofmagnetic poles, referred to herein as maxels. It has been discoveredthat various field emission properties can be put in use in a wide rangeof applications.

SUMMARY

Briefly, according to the invention, an electromagnetic structurecomprises a rotor assembly having at least one circular magneticstructure. The structure has opposing first and second surfaces thatextend around a peripheral boundary region. A plurality of emissionregions are disposed along said peripheral boundary region, with eachemission region presenting poles having opposite polarities of a firstpolarity and a second polarity on the opposing first and second surfacesof the circular magnetic structure. Adjacent emission regions havealternating pole orientations such that each emission source having thefirst polarity is between two emission sources having the secondpolarity and each emission source having the second polarity is betweentwo emission sources having the first polarity. A rotational elementrotates the at least one circular magnetic structure about a rotationaxis that is perpendicular to the opposing first and second surfaces. Atleast one stator assembly comprises at least one core element and atleast one coil winding wound around the at least one core element. Thecore element extends from the first surface around to the second surfaceto magnetically couple the poles of opposite polarities of eachrespective one of the plurality of emission regions when said rotor isrotated about said rotation axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical orfunctionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of areference number identifies the drawing in which the reference numberfirst appears.

FIG. 1 depicts a round magnetizable material having been programmedabout its outer perimeter with alternating polarity maxels;

FIG. 2 depicts the round magnetizable material of FIG. 1 relative tofield coils;

FIG. 3 depicts use of a common core element extending from a solenoidcoil over a first magnetic source to an adjacent opposite pole magneticsource;

FIG. 4A-4C depict top, oblique, and side views of an exemplary ringmagnet programmed with an alternating polarity pattern of 24 poles in acircle;

FIG. 4D depicts a rotor assembly including a circular magnetic structureand a rotational element;

FIG. 5A depicts field coils around straight core elements that areattached to a circular common core element that is on one side of thering magnet of FIGS. 4A-4C;

FIG. 5B depicts field coils around straight core elements that areattached to two circular common core elements that are on both sides ofthe ring magnet of FIGS. 4A-4C;

FIG. 6A depicts field coils around beveled core elements that areattached to a circular common core element that are on one side of thering magnet of FIGS. 4A-4C;

FIG. 6B depicts field coils around beveled core elements that areattached to two circular common core elements that are on both sides ofthe ring magnet of FIGS. 4A-4C;

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary stator assembly intended to straddle theside of the magnetic structure such that it produces a magnetic circuitbetween the North and South poles of the magnetic sources as the magnetand/or stator assembly is moved relative to the other;

FIG. 8A depict top and side views of the stator assembly of FIG. 7 aspositioned to straddle the magnetic structure;

FIGS. 9A-9C depicts alternative shapes for the core element portions ofstator assemblies used to straddle a magnetic structure as well asalternative locations for coils associated with the core elementportions of the stator assemblies;

FIG. 10A depicts a non-conductive non-magnetic stator assembly alignmenttemplate that is used to position multiple stator assemblies around theperimeter of a ring magnetic structure;

FIG. 10B depicts a stator assembly placed within two alignment templatesand thereby positioned to straddle a magnetic structure;

FIG. 11A depicts side views of two magnetic structures like those ofFIGS. 4A-4C having exemplary stator assemblies arranged in an inphaseand quadrature relationship;

FIG. 11B depicts side views of three magnetic structures like those ofFIGS. 4A-4C having exemplary stator assemblies arranged in an threephase power arrangement;

FIG. 12A depicts an alternative stator assembly intended for use with acylindrically shaped magnetic structure and having coils at each end ofthe stator assembly;

FIG. 12B depicts a cylindrically shaped magnetic structure havingstriped alternating polarity poles and having a stator structure havingcoils at each end where the core elements of the stator structure areparallel to the cylinder and sized to closely match the pole sizes;

FIG. 12C depicts an alternative stator assembly intended for use with acylindrically shaped magnetic structure and having portions of the coreelements that extend upward from the cylinder;

FIG. 13A depicts an exemplary axially magnetized cylinder-shapedpermanent magnet having a first polarity orientation;

FIG. 13B depicts another exemplary axially magnetized cylinder-shapedpermanent magnet having a second polarity orientation that is oppositethe first polarity orientation depicted in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 13C depicts a magnet stack of three axially magnetizedcylinder-shaped permanent magnets having been glued to maintain analternating polarity-orientation pattern such that the polarity at eachof the two ends of the middle magnet is the same as the polarity of theabutting ends of the two outer magnets;

FIG. 13D depicts a magnet stack of three axially magnetizedcylinder-shaped permanent magnets having holes through their centers andheld together with a rod to maintain an alternating polarity-orientationpattern such that the polarity at each of the two ends of the middlemagnet is the same as the polarity of the abutting ends of the two outermagnets;

FIG. 14A depicts an exemplary moveable magnet assembly including a tubeand a magnet stack of three axially magnetized cylinder-shaped permanentmagnets arranged to have an alternating polarity-orientation pattern,where the magnet stack can move within the tube;

FIG. 14B depicts the exemplary moveable magnet assembly of FIG. 14A withthe addition of two fixed magnets at each end of the tube with eachfixed magnet having a polarity-orientation such that they will repel thenearest magnet in the magnet stack;

FIG. 14C depicts the exemplary moveable magnet assembly of FIG. 14A withthe addition of two springs at each end with each spring providing aspring force against the nearest magnet in the magnet stack;

FIG. 15A depicts an exemplary power generation system including a magnetstack of seven axially-magnetized magnets arranged in an alternatingpolarity-orientation pattern and a coil assembly and spacers configuredon the outside of a tube within which the magnet stack can be insertedand moved back and forth within the tube;

FIG. 15B depicts the exemplary power generation system of FIG. 15A wherethe magnet stack of seven axially-magnetized magnets arranged in analternating polarity-orientation pattern is shown to be inside the tubeand able to move back and forth within the tube;

FIG. 16A depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to a monocycleproduced by dropping one axially-magnetized magnet down a tube havingone coil;

FIG. 16B depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to two overlappingmonocycles produced by dropping a magnet stack of two axially-magnetizedmagnets arranged in an alternating polarity-orientation pattern down atube having one coil;

FIG. 16C depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to threeoverlapping monocycles produced by dropping a magnet stack of threeaxially-magnetized magnets arranged in an alternatingpolarity-orientation pattern down a tube having one coil;

FIG. 16D depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to two overlappingmonocycles produced by dropping one axially-magnetized magnet down atube having two coils;

FIG. 16E depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to threeoverlapping monocycles produced by dropping a magnet stack of twoaxially-magnetized magnets arranged in an alternatingpolarity-orientation pattern down a tube having two coils;

FIG. 16F depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to fouroverlapping monocycles produced by dropping a magnet stack of threeaxially-magnetized magnets arranged in an alternatingpolarity-orientation pattern down a tube having two coils;

FIG. 16G depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to ten overlappingmonocycles produced by dropping one axially-magnetized magnet down atube having one coil;

FIG. 16H depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to ten overlappingmonocycles by dropping a magnet stack of three axially-magnetizedmagnets arranged in an alternating polarity-orientation pattern down atube having ten coils;

FIG. 16I depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to ten overlappingmonocycles by dropping a magnet stack of four axially-magnetized magnetsarranged in an alternating polarity-orientation pattern down a tubehaving ten coils;

FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary power generation system including a magnetstack of seven axially-magnetized magnets arranged in a Barker 7 codedpolarity-orientation pattern and a coil assembly and spacers configuredon the outside of a tube within which the magnet stack can be insertedand moved back and forth within the tube;

FIG. 18 depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to a magnet stackof seven axially-magnetized magnets arranged in a Barker 7 codedpolarity-orientation pattern passing entirely through a seven coilswired in accordance with a complementary Barker 7 code;

FIG. 19A depicts an exemplary ferromagnetic shield;

FIG. 19B depicts an exemplary ferromagnetic flux circuit;

FIG. 19C depicts another exemplary ferromagnetic flux circuit;

FIG. 19D depicts an oblique projection of the ferromagnetic flux circuitof FIG. 19C about to receive a magnet;

FIG. 19E depicts use of exemplary flux circuits of FIG. 19B between themagnets of the magnetic stack of FIG. 15A;

FIG. 19F depicts an exemplary generator having the flux circuits of FIG.19E, ferromagnetic spacers, and a ferromagnetic shield of FIG. 19A;

FIG. 19G depicts the generator of FIG. 19A with the magnet stack movedto a first position;

FIG. 19H depict the generator of FIG. 19B with the magnet stack moved tosecond position;

FIG. 19G depicts the generator of FIG. 19A with the magnet stack movedto a third position;

FIG. 19J depicts a cross section of a portion of the magnetic fluxcircuit of the generator of FIG. 19F;

FIG. 19K depicts a vector field indicating the direction and magnitudeof magnetic flux when the ferromagnetic flux circuits between magnets ofa magnet stack align with the ferromagnetic spacers of the generator ofFIG. 19F;

FIG. 19L depicts the vector field of FIG. 19K overlaying the magneticflux circuit of FIG. 19J;

FIG. 20A depicts an exemplary ring-shaped moveable magnet assembly wherea circular tube has a partial ring-shaped magnet where the partialring-shaped magnet is completed with a heavy material that causes themagnet to remain in substantially the same vertical orientation whilethe outer tube turns relative to the magnet;

FIG. 20B depicts an exemplary ring-shaped moveable magnet assembly wherea circular tube has a partial ring-shaped magnet where the ring iscompleted with a lighter material that would cause the magnet to remainin substantially the same orientation while the outer tube turnsrelative to the magnet;

FIG. 20B depicts an exemplary ring-shaped moveable magnet assembly wherea circular tube has a partial ring-shaped magnet where the partialring-shaped magnet is completed with a lighter material that causes themagnet to remain in substantially the same vertical orientation whilethe outer tube turns relative to the magnet;

FIG. 20C depicts an exemplary ring-shaped moveable magnet assembly wherea circular tube has a partial ring-shaped magnet where the magnet willremain in substantially the same orientation while the outer tube turnsrelative to the magnet;

FIG. 21A depicts an exemplary power generation system including tencoils separated using eleven spacers, where the coils and spacers areconfigured around the tube of the moveable magnet assembly of FIG. 20A;

FIG. 21B depicts an exemplary power generation system including twentycoils separated using twenty spacers, where the coils and spacers areconfigured around the tube of the moveable magnet assembly of FIG. 20A;

FIG. 21C depicts an exemplary power generation system including twentycoils separated using twenty spacers, where the coils and spacers areconfigured around the tube of the moveable magnet assembly of FIG. 20Aand where the spacers are extended inward towards an inner axle suchthat they also function as spokes;

FIG. 21D depicts an exemplary power generation system like the system ofFIG. 21C, where the spacers are extended outward towards such that theyalso function as fins;

FIG. 21E depicts a cross-section of part of the exemplary powergeneration system of FIG. 21D where the fin portion of the spacer can beseen to extend outward from the moveable magnet assembly; and

FIG. 22 depicts an exemplary pendulum type moveable magnet assemblyincluding an arch-shaped tube and an arch-shaped magnet structure;

FIG. 23 depicts an exemplary power generation system whereby spacers andcoils (only one coil shown for clarity) are configured around thearch-shaped tube of the moveable magnet assembly of FIG. 22;

FIGS. 24A-24B depicts an exemplary IQ power generation system inaccordance with the invention;

FIGS. 25A-25B depicts another exemplary IQ power generation system inaccordance with the invention; and

FIGS. 26A and 26B provide a voltage vs. position plot and a controlvector rotational plot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which the preferredembodiments of the invention are shown. This invention should not,however, be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;rather, they are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art.

The present invention magnetic structures and magnetization techniquesrelated to those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/358,423, filed Jan. 23, 2009, U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/322,561, filed Feb. 4, 2009, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/476,952, filed Jun. 2, 2009. It also includes disclosure described inU.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/283,780, titled “A System andMethod for Producing Multi-level Magnetic Fields”, filed Dec. 9, 2009and described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/399,448, titled“A System and Method for Producing Multi-level Magnetic Fields”, filedJul. 12, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/400,995,titled “A System and Method for Power Generation”, filed Sep. 17, 2010.These six patent applications are all incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

An electromagnetic structure according to the present invention includesa rotor assembly and a stator assembly. FIG. 1 shows the top view of therotor assembly, which includes a circular magnetic structure and arotational element. The circular magnetic structure has opposing firstand second surfaces that extend around a peripheral boundary region. Thefirst surface may be the top surface of the circular magnetic structure,the second surface may be the bottom surface of the circular magneticstructure, and the peripheral boundary region may be the region of thecircular magnetic structure on the outer portions of the circularmagnetic structure.

The circular magnetic structure includes a plurality of emission regionsdisposed along the peripheral boundary region. Emission regions may beregions of the circular magnetic structure that correspond to poles ormaxels. In FIG. 1, multiple emission regions are shown as multiplepoles, or maxels, having been programmed around the peripheral boundaryof the circular magnetizable material. Maxels of one polarity are shownin white and maxels of the opposite polarity are shown in black. On theopposite side of the material, the maxels have the opposite polaritythan shown in FIG. 1. Emission regions may present poles having oppositepolarities of a first polarity and a second polarity. The first andsecond polarities may be North and South polarities, shown as positiveand negative symbols. The poles of opposite polarities may be on theopposing first and second surfaces of the circular magnetic structure sothat an emission region with a North polarity on the top surface of thecircular magnetic structure has a South polarity on the bottom surfaceof the circular magnetic structure.

The emission regions are arranged so that adjacent emission regions havealternating pole orientations such that each emission source having thefirst polarity is between two emission sources having the secondpolarity. For example, an emission region with a North polarity on thetop surface of the circular magnetic structure may be between twoemission regions having a South polarity on the top surface of thecircular magnetic structure. The emission regions may further bearranged to that each emission source having the second polarity isbetween two emission sources having the first polarity. For example, anemission region with a South polarity on the top surface of the circularmagnetic structure may be between two emission regions having a Northpolarity on the top surface of the circular magnetic structure.

The electromagnetic structure of the present invention also includes astator assembly. FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a stator assembly wherea programmed magnet in conjunction with two separate core elementshaving coil windings on either side of the programmed magnet. FIG. 3shows yet another stator assembly for the electromagnetic structure ofthe invention, which includes one core element that extendselectromagnetic coupling from the first surface around to the secondsurface of the circular magnetic structure of FIG. 1, as furtherdescribed below in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8A-B. Herein, the termcore element refers to the ferromagnetic (or laminated ferromagnetic)material used to complete a circuit between two magnetic sources (orpoles) having opposite polarity. It is desirable that the core elementmaterial used in accordance with the invention have a high relativepermeability (e.g., μ_(R)=150-800) allowing the core elements ofside-by-side stator assemblies to have a very narrow air gap betweenthem where the magnetic flux doesn't substantially bridge the air gap.Under the core element arrangement of FIG. 3, electromagnetic couplingstartles the poles of opposite polarities of each respective one of theplurality of emission regions when the rotor is rotated about a rotationaxis that is perpendicular to the opposing surfaces of the circularmagnetic structure. The stator assembly further includes a coil windingwound around the at least one core element. For example, the coilwinding may be wound so that a portion of the core element runs parallelto the axis upon which the coil winding is wound. The core element ofthe stator of FIG. 3 is made of ferromagnetic material or laminatedferromagnetic material (e.g., iron, iron alloy, ferrite, powdered iron,magnetic ceramic, etc.).

One aspect of the present invention involves efficient methods forgenerating power using a multi-pole magnetic structures such asmagnetizable material magnetized to have an pattern of magnetic poles,referred to herein as maxels. The pattern may be an alternating patternor a non-alternating pattern, where the maxels may be arranged in acircle, an arc, or in a row. By moving the magnetic structure relativeto one or more coils (or vice versa) power is efficiently generated.

FIGS. 1-3 depicts an electrical generator apparatus that generateselectricity based on the movement of at least one field coil to at leastone multi-pole magnetic structure (or programmed magnet) printed into amagnetized material. As such, whenever a field coil is moved relative tothe magnetizable material and maxels, electricity is generated when thecoil moves from a positive polarity maxel to a negative polarity maxelor vice versa. As shown in FIG. 2, multiple coils can be used on eitherside of the programmed magnet where the programmed magnet can be movedor the coils can be moved or some combination thereof.

One embodiment is a monopole field coil where one pole of a solenoid isin proximity to the alternating magnetic polarities provided by one sideof the programmed magnetizable material. Yet another embodiment is asecond solenoid in proximity to the alternating magnetic polaritiesprovided by a second side of the programmed magnetizable material.

Although the magnetizable material is shown to be round, differentshapes of magnetizable material and corresponding patterns of maxels canbe employed as appropriate to accommodate different types of movement toinclude circular movement, partial circular movement, linear movement,or any definable or random movement relative to maxels of a printed (orprogrammed) magnet.

Movement used to generate electricity using an electrical generationapparatus in accordance with the invention could be via a hand (e.g., acrank), wind, waves, or any other movement where there is differentialmotion.

The pattern of maxels used in such electrical generation devices can bealternating polarities or coded. The coded version would be useful tomatch a load that is periodic or aperiodic.

As further described later, an inphase and quadrature (IQ) powergeneration device can be produced in accordance with the invention thatinvolve movement of field coils relative to a plurality of magneticfield sources (maxels or conventional magnets) where the one or morepairs of field coils are each 90 degrees out of phase with respect tothe spacing of the magnetic sources.

Generator devices in accordance with the invention can be designed towork with slow moving objects, for example, a wind mill, withoutrequiring the gears currently being used to achieve adequate powergeneration.

The discussion that follows is presented using the basic concept ofturning a magnetic structure relative to one or more fixed statorassemblies each comprising one or more coils that are wrapped around oneor more core elements. Alternatively the invention could be practiced byturning the stator assemblies relative to a fixed magnetic structure orsome combination of both that stator assemblies and the magneticstructure being able to move.

Herein, the term core element refers to the ferromagnetic (or laminatedferromagnetic) material used to complete a circuit between two magneticsources (or poles) having opposite polarity. It is desirable that thecore element material used in accordance with the invention have a highrelative permeability (e.g., μ_(R)=150-800) allowing the core elementsof side-by-side stator assemblies to have a very narrow air gap betweenthem where the magnetic flux doesn't substantially bridge the air gap.

As described above, the electromagnetic structure of the presentinvention includes a rotor assembly and a stator assembly. The rotorassembly includes a circular magnetic structure and a rotationalelement. The circular magnetic structure may have opposing first andsecond surfaces that extend around a peripheral boundary region. Thefirst surface may be the top surface of the circular magnetic structureand the second surface may be the bottom surface of the circularmagnetic structure. The circular magnetic structure includes a pluralityof emission regions disposed along the peripheral boundary region.Emission regions may be regions of the circular magnetic structure thatcorrespond to poles or maxels. Emission regions may present poles havingopposite polarities of a first polarity and a second polarity. The firstand second polarities may be North and South polarities, shown aspositive and negative symbols, respectively, in FIGS. 4A-4C. The polesof opposite polarities may be on the opposing first and second surfacesof the circular magnetic structure so that an emission region with aNorth polarity on the top surface of the circular magnetic structure hasa South polarity on the bottom surface of the circular magneticstructure.

The emission regions may further be arranged so that adjacent emissionregions have alternating pole orientations such that each emissionsource having the first polarity is between two emission sources havingthe second polarity. For example, an emission region with a Northpolarity on the top surface of the circular magnetic structure may bebetween two emission regions having a South polarity on the top surfaceof the circular magnetic structure. The emission regions may further bearranged to that each emission source having the second polarity isbetween two emission sources having the first polarity. For example, anemission region with a South polarity on the top surface of the circularmagnetic structure may be between two emission regions having a Northpolarity on the top surface of the circular magnetic structure.

In an embodiment, he circular magnetic structure may be a circular ringstructure having a hollow inner portion relative to the peripheralboundary. For example, the peripheral boundary may be the outer portionof a circular ring structure. FIGS. 4A-4C depict top, oblique, and sideviews of an exemplary ring magnet programmed with an alternatingpolarity pattern of 24 poles in a circle. In a preferred embodiment, thepattern would include an even number of alternating poles that could bemultiplied by an integer to achieve 60 Hz, for example 30 poles. Meetingthese criteria makes it easy to understand the relationship between poletransitions per rotation when it is desirable to achieve 60 Hz power butotherwise meeting these criteria is not a requirement to practice theinvention. The poles are shown being wedge shaped so as to optimize useof the material but could have many different shapes such as radialstripes, concentric circles of maxels, or any other desired shape.

FIG. 4D depicts a rotor assembly including a circular magnetic structureand a rotational element for rotating the circular magnetic structureabout a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the opposing first andsecond surfaces of the circular magnetic structure. The rotationalelement may be a non-conductive non-magnetic structure, for example, astructure made of polycarbonate. The rotational element may be acylinder with a diameter matching the diameter of a center hole of thecircular magnetic structure. In another embodiment, the rotation elementmay be a shaft with a diameter less than the diameter of a center holeof the circular magnetic structure where the circular magnetic structureis coupled to the shaft by spokes.

FIG. 5A depicts field coils around straight core elements that areattached to a circular common core element that are on one side of thering magnet of FIGS. 4A-4C. Alternatively, the circular common coreelement could be subdivided to provide magnetic circuits between pairsof core elements such as previously described in relation to FIG. 3.Moreover, many different combinations are possible for producingmagnetic circuits using one or more common core elements, which need notbe circular.

FIG. 5B depicts field coils around straight core elements that areattached to two circular common core elements that are on both sides ofthe ring magnet of FIGS. 4A-4C. Generally, applying coils to both sidesof the magnetic structure doubles the output of the generator and alsomakes it is easy to balance the power output. Moreover, although notshown in FIG. 5B, the top and bottom stator assemblies could be orientedto produce an inphase and quadrature relationship as previouslydescribed by employing two assemblies aligned with a 90° phase shiftbetween them.

FIG. 6A depicts field coils around beveled core elements that areattached to a circular common core element that is on one side of thering magnet of FIGS. 4A-4C. Because the configuration of having coreelements perpendicular to the magnetic structure requires the coreelements to be smaller in size where the coil is wound so that the coilswill not be in contact, maximum flux output isn't achieved if the coreelements are straight (i.e., cylindrical or rod like). However, as shownin FIG. 6A, the core elements can have a portion nearest the magneticstructure that is beveled or otherwise flares out to more closely matchthe shape of the magnetic sources (or poles). Many different shapes andsizes of a core element could be configured to vary the flux produced asthe magnetic structure is turned relative to the stator assembly.

FIG. 6B depicts field coils around beveled core elements that areattached to two circular common core elements that are on both sides ofthe ring magnet of FIGS. 4A-4C. The comments provided in relation toFIG. 5B above also apply to the configuration shown in FIG. 6B.

As stated above, the stator assembly of the electromagnetic structuremay include at least one core element that extends from the firstsurface around to the second surface of a circular magnetic structure tomagnetically couple the poles of opposite polarities of each respectiveone of the plurality of emission regions when the rotor is rotated aboutthe rotation axis. The stator assembly may further include at least onecoil winding wound around the at least one core element according to thedirection of a current through the at least one coil. For example, thecoil winding may be wound so that a portion of the core element runsparallel to the axis upon which the coil winding is wound.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary stator assembly intended to straddle theside of the magnetic structure such that it produces a magnetic circuitbetween the North and South poles of the magnetic sources as the magnetis rotated relative to the stator assembly. The core element includecore element portions and common core element portion. As shown a coilis shown being wound about a common core element portion of the statorassembly that is between two core element portions of the assembly.Alternatively or additionally one or more coils could be wound aroundthe core element portions at some location that is beyond the radius ofthe magnetic structure.

FIG. 8A depict top and side views of the stator assembly of FIG. 7 aspositioned to straddle the magnetic structure. It should be noted thatthe length of the two core element portions was arbitrarily selected toprovide spacing between the coil and the magnetic structure. It shouldbe also noted that it is desirable that the spacing between the coreelements and the magnetic structure be minimal to maximize magneticflux. Under one arrangement, the coil portion of the stator assemblywould be covered or otherwise sealed such that ferromagnetic fluid couldbe placed into the air gap between the two core element portions and themagnetic structure.

FIG. 9A-9C depicts alternative shapes for the core element portions ofstator assemblies used to straddle a magnetic structure as well asalternative locations for coils associated with the core elementportions of the stator assemblies. FIG. 9A depicts a stator assemblywhere the core elements have a portion that approaches the magneticstructure from both sides at 90 degree angle. This approach allows morecore element material to be used and more coils to be used.

In an embodiment, the core element may include a coil element portion ofa first dimension for winding a coil. The first dimension may be thewidth of the coil element portion. The coil element portion may be theportions of the core element upon which the coil is wound. The coilelement portion may be the portion as shown in FIG. 9A that does notapproach the magnetic structure from the sides. The core element mayfurther include an interface portion, of a second dimension, positionedcloser to the circular magnetic structure than the coil element portion.The second dimension may be the width of the interface portion, whichmay be greater than the first dimension. For example, the interfaceportion of the core element may be a portion shown in FIG. 9A whichapproaches the magnetic structure.

FIG. 9B depicts a portion of the core element being shaped so as to moreclosely match the shape of the magnetic sources. In a planeperpendicular to the rotation axis of the circular magnetic structure,the interface portion has a cross sectional shape dimensioned tocorrespond to the shape of an emission region. For example, theinterface portion in FIG. 9B is shaped like a wedge similarly to thewedge shaped emission regions of the circular magnetic structure in FIG.4A.

FIG. 9C depicts varying the thickness of the core elements in such a wayas to account for difference in flux produce at different radialdistances from the center axis of the magnetic structure. As such, thecoil and core element could be designed to maximize flux output whileminimizing core element material and wire used in the generator.

FIG. 10A depicts a non-conductive non-magnetic stator assembly alignmenttemplate that is used to position multiple stator assemblies around theperimeter of a ring magnetic structure. The template may align at leastone stator assembly with a circular magnetic structure. Statorassemblies such as shown in FIG. 7 can be individually placed into thealignment templates as part of the assembly process, whereby additionalpower generation can be achieved by adding additional stator assemblies.

FIG. 10B depicts a stator assembly placed within two alignment templatesand thereby positioned to straddle a magnetic structure.

In an embodiment, the stator assembly may include a first statorassembly and a second stator assembly where the first stator assembly ispositioned relative to the second stator assembly such that when thefirst stator assembly is substantially aligned with a first emissionsource having a first polarity on the first surface, the second statorassembly is substantially aligned with a second emission source having asecond state on the first surface. For example, the alignment templateshown in FIG. 10A may be used to ensure the first stator assembly andsecond stator assembly are relatively positioned accordingly.

In an embodiment, the stator assembly may include a first statorassembly and a second stator assembly where the first stator assemblyhas a first coil winding and the second stator assembly has a secondwinding such that corresponding currents through the first coil windingand the second coil winding have the same direction. For example, thefirst coil winding and second coil winding may be both wound clockwiseor both wound counterclockwise.

In an embodiment, the stator assembly may include a first statorassembly and a second stator assembly, the first stator assembly havinga first coil winding and the second stator assembly having a second coilwinding. The first stator assembly may be positioned relative to thesecond stator assembly such that corresponding currents through thefirst coil winding and the second coil winding have an in phase andquadrature phase relationship. For example, the first stator assemblyand second stator assembly may be positioned so that when the firststator assembly is substantially aligned with a first emission sourcehaving a first polarity on the first surface, the second stator assemblyis substantially aligned 90° out of phase with a second emission sourceon the first surface. In an embodiment, the in phase and quadraturephase relationship may be due to quadrature phase shift relationship inthe stator assemblies or quadrature phase shift relationship in thepoles.

In an embodiment, a plurality of circular magnetic structures may beparallel to each other perpendicular to a rotation axis.

FIG. 11A depicts side views of two magnetic structures like those ofFIGS. 4A-4C having exemplary stator assemblies arranged in an inphaseand quadrature relationship. Either one of the two stator assembliescould have a quadrature phase shift relative to the other while poles ofthe two magnetic structures could remain aligned. Or, the poles of thetwo magnetic structures could have a quadrature phase shift relationshipand the stator assemblies could remain aligned. Various othercombinations are possible for achieving an inphase and quadraturerelationship between the two magnetic structure/stator assemblies so asgenerate constant power as described previously.

FIG. 11B depicts side views of three magnetic structures like those ofFIGS. 4A-4C having exemplary stator assemblies arranged in a three phasepower arrangement. Similar to what was described in relation to FIG.11A, various methods could be used to achieve a 120 degree relationshipbetween the three different magnetic structure/stator assemblies inorder to achieve 3 phase power output.

FIG. 11C shows a stator assembly where a single core element portion isplaced between two magnetic structures. As shown, one fourth of thepower output would be produced by the left coil and three fourths of thepower output would be produced by the right coil. Generally, all sortsof unbalanced core element portion arrangements are possible foraccommodating variable power requirements.

FIG. 12A depicts an alternative stator assembly intended for use with acylindrically shaped magnetic structure and having coils at each end ofthe stator assembly. The stator assembly has two long core elementportions sized to be substantially the same size as the poles (i.e., thestripes magnetic sources) of a cylindrical magnetic structure and havingsmaller portions that enable common core elements between them toaccommodate coils.

FIG. 12B depicts a cylindrically shaped magnetic structure havingstriped alternating polarity poles and having a stator assembly havingcoils at each end where the core elements of the stator structure areparallel to the cylinder and sized to closely match the pole sizes. Asshown, the stator assembly has coils at both end but could have a coilat only one end. Moreover, the core elements are not required to extendthe full length of the cylinder as shown.

FIG. 12C depicts an alternative stator assembly intended for use with acylindrically shaped magnetic structure and having portions of the coreelements that extend perpendicular to the cylinder much like the statorassembly of FIG. 3. Generally, many different variations of statorassemblies are possible for use with a cylindrical magnetic structure asdescribed herein.

FIG. 13A depicts an exemplary axially magnetized cylinder-shapedpermanent magnet 1302 having a first polarity orientation. The magnet1302 has a length L.

FIG. 13B depicts another exemplary axially magnetized cylinder-shapedpermanent magnet 1304 having a second polarity orientation that isopposite the first polarity orientation depicted in FIG. 13A. The magnet1304 also has a length L.

FIG. 13C depicts a magnet stack 1306 of three axially magnetizedcylinder-shaped permanent magnets having been glued (or otherwiseattached) to maintain an alternating polarity-orientation pattern suchthat the polarity at each of the two ends of the middle magnet 1304 isthe same as the polarity of the abutting ends of the two outer magnets1302.

FIG. 13D depicts a magnet stack 1308 of three axially magnetizedcylinder-shaped permanent magnets having holes through their centers andheld together with a rod 1310 to maintain an alternatingpolarity-orientation pattern such that the polarity at each of the twoends of the middle magnet 1304 is the same as the polarity of theabutting ends of the two outer magnets 1302.

FIG. 14A depicts an exemplary moveable magnet assembly 1400 including atube 1402 and a magnet stack 1306 of three axially magnetizedcylinder-shaped permanent magnets arranged to have an alternatingpolarity-orientation pattern, where the magnet stack 1306 can movewithin the tube 1402.

FIG. 14B depicts the exemplary moveable magnet assembly 1400 of FIG. 14Awith the addition of two fixed magnets 1304 at each end of the tube 1402with each fixed magnet 1304 having a polarity-orientation such that theywill repel the nearest magnet 1302 in the magnet stack 1306. Under onearrangement, the fixed magnet is moveable (e.g., on a screw) so that therepel force can be tuned.

FIG. 14C depicts the exemplary moveable magnet assembly 1400 of FIG. 14Awith the addition of two springs 1406 at each end with each spring 1406providing a spring force against the nearest magnet 1302 in the magnetstack 1306.

FIG. 15A depicts an exemplary power generation system 1500 including amagnet stack 1502 of seven axially-magnetized magnets arranged in analternating polarity-orientation pattern and a movable magnet assembly1504 having a coil assembly 1508 a-1508 g and spacers 1506 configured onthe outside of a tube 1402 within which the magnet stack 1502 can beinserted and moved back and forth within the tube 1402. The coils 1508 aare configured such that the direction of current alternates with eachsuccessive coil to correspond to the alternating polarity-orientationpattern of the magnet stack 1502. This configuration can be achieved bywrapping (or coiling) wire in the same direction for each separate coil1508 a-1508 g and then connecting the coils in an alternating mannersuch as depicted in FIGS. 15A and 15B. Alternatively, the direction ofcoiling the wire could alternate for each successive coil 1508 a-1508 g.With this alternative approach, one continuous wire could be used toproduce the coil assembly, which could pass through notches included inthe spacers.

FIG. 15B depicts the exemplary power generation system 1500 of FIG. 15Awhere the magnet stack 1502 of seven axially-magnetized magnets arrangedin an alternating polarity-orientation pattern is shown to be inside thetube 1402 and able to move back and forth within the tube 1402.

FIG. 16A depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to a monocycleproduced by dropping one axially-magnetized magnet down a tube havingone coil.

FIG. 16B depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to two overlappingmonocycles produced by dropping a magnet stack of two axially-magnetizedmagnets arranged in an alternating polarity-orientation pattern down atube having one coil.

FIG. 16C depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to threeoverlapping monocycles produced by dropping a magnet stack of threeaxially-magnetized magnets arranged in an alternatingpolarity-orientation pattern down a tube having one coil.

FIG. 16D depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to two overlappingmonocycles produced by dropping one axially-magnetized magnet down atube having two coils.

FIG. 16E depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to threeoverlapping monocycles produced by dropping a magnet stack of twoaxially-magnetized magnets arranged in an alternatingpolarity-orientation pattern down a tube having two coils.

FIG. 16F depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to fouroverlapping monocycles produced by dropping a magnet stack of threeaxially-magnetized magnets arranged in an alternatingpolarity-orientation pattern down a tube having two coils.

FIG. 16G depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to ten overlappingmonocycles produced by dropping one axially-magnetized magnet down atube having one coil.

FIG. 16H depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to ten overlappingmonocycles by dropping a magnet stack of three axially-magnetizedmagnets arranged in an alternating polarity-orientation pattern down atube having ten coils.

FIG. 16I depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to ten overlappingmonocycles by dropping a magnet stack of four axially-magnetized magnetsarranged in an alternating polarity-orientation pattern down a tubehaving ten coils.

FIG. 17 depicts a Barker 7 code 1702 and an exemplary power generationsystem 1700 including a magnet stack 1704 of seven axially-magnetizedmagnets arranged in a Barker 7 coded polarity-orientation pattern and amoveable magnet assembly 1504 including a coil assembly 1508 a-1508 gand spacers 1506 configured on the outside of a tube 1402 within whichthe magnet stack 1704 can be inserted and moved back and forth withinthe tube 1402. Similar to the coil assembly 1508 a-1508 g of FIGS. 15Aand 15B, the coil assembly of FIG. 17 can be achieved by wrapping (orcoiling) wire in the same direction for each coil 1508 a-1508 g and thenconnecting the coils in accordance with the Barker 7 code or thedirection of coiling the wire could vary in accordance with the Barker 7code.

FIG. 18 depicts an exemplary RF signal corresponding to a magnet stackof seven axially-magnetized magnets arranged in a Barker 7 codedpolarity-orientation pattern passing entirely through a seven coilswired in accordance with a complementary Barker 7 code.

FIG. 19A depicts an exemplary ferromagnetic shield 1902 that can beplaced on the outside of a generator of the invention to keep magneticflux within the generator.

FIG. 19B depicts an exemplary ferromagnetic flux circuit 1904 placedbetween individual magnets of the magnet structure 1704.

FIG. 19C depicts another exemplary ferromagnetic flux circuit 1906whereby what appear to be end caps are placed on each end of adjoiningmagnets of the magnet structure 1704.

FIG. 19D depicts an oblique projection of the ferromagnetic flux circuit1906 of FIG. 19C about to receive a magnet 1032.

FIG. 19E depicts use of exemplary flux circuits 1904 of FIG. 19B betweenthe magnets of the magnetic stack 1502 of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 19F depicts an exemplary generator 1910 having the flux circuits1904 of FIG. 19E, ferromagnetic spacers 1506, and a ferromagnetic shield1902 of FIG. 19A, which function together as a magnetic flux circuit. Asdepicted in FIG. 19F, the generator 1910 includes magnet stack 1502within a movable magnet assembly 1908 that is much like the movablemagnet assembly 1504 of FIG. 15A except the coils 1508 a-1508 g areresized and spacers 1506 are spaced wider apart about the tube 1402 toaccommodate the thickness of the flux circuits 1904 of FIG. 19E. Themagnet stack 1502 is shown at a position where the flux circuits 1904 ofthe magnet stack 1502 are not in alignment with the ferromagneticspacers 1506 of the moveable magnet assembly 1908.

FIG. 19G depicts the generator of FIG. 19A with the magnet stack 1502moved to a first position, where the six flux circuits 1904 of themagnet stack 1502 align with the leftmost six of the eight ferromagneticspacers 1506.

FIG. 19H depict the generator of FIG. 19B with the magnet stack moved tosecond position, where the six flux circuits 1904 of the magnet stack1502 align with the middle six of the eight ferromagnetic spacers 1506.

FIG. 19G depicts the generator of FIG. 19A with the magnet stack movedto a third position, where the six flux circuits 1904 of the magnetstack 1502 align with the rightmost six of the eight ferromagneticspacers 1506.

FIG. 19J depicts a cross section of a portion of the magnetic fluxcircuit of the generator of FIG. 19F. Referring to FIG. 19J, the portionof the magnetic flux circuit consists of the magnetic shield 1902surrounding the coil assembly and tube 1402, the ferromagnetic spacers1506 surrounding the tube 1402, and the flux circuits 1904 between themagnets of the magnet stack. When the flux circuits 1904 between themagnets align with the ferromagnetic spacers 1904 a completed magneticflux circuit is produced.

FIG. 19K depicts a vector field indicating the direction and magnitudeof magnetic flux when the flux circuits 1904 between magnets of a magnetstack align with the ferromagnetic spacers 1506 of the generator 1910 ofFIG. 19F.

FIG. 19L depicts the vector field of FIG. 19K overlaying the magneticflux circuit of FIG. 19J.

FIG. 20A depicts an exemplary ring-shaped moveable magnet assembly 2000where a circular tube 2002 has a partial ring-shaped magnet 2004 wherethe partial ring-shaped magnet 2004 is completed with a heavy material2006 that causes the magnet 2004 to remain in substantially the samevertical orientation while the outer tube 2002 turns relative to themagnet 2004.

FIG. 20B depicts an exemplary ring-shaped moveable magnet assembly 2000where a circular tube 2002 has a partial ring-shaped magnet 2004 wherethe partial ring-shaped magnet 2004 is completed with a lighter material2008 that causes the magnet 2004 to remain in substantially the samevertical orientation while the outer tube 2002 turns relative to themagnet 2004.

FIG. 20C depicts an exemplary ring-shaped moveable magnet assembly 2000where a circular tube has a partial ring-shaped magnet 2004 where themagnet 2004 will remain in substantially the same orientation while theouter tube turns relative to the magnet. As such, as space between twoends of the magnet 2004 would provide stability to the magnet when in avertical orientation.

FIG. 21A depicts an exemplary power generation system 2100 including tencoils 15080 separated using eleven spacers 1506, where the coils 1508and spacers 1506 are configured around the tube 2002 of the moveablemagnet assembly 2000 of FIG. 20A.

FIG. 21B depicts an exemplary power generation system 3200 includingtwenty coils 5008 separated using twenty spacers 1506, where the coilsand spacers are configured around the tube of the moveable magnetassembly of FIG. 20A.

FIG. 21C depicts an exemplary power generation system including twentycoils separated using twenty spacers, where the coils and spacers areconfigured around the tube of the moveable magnet assembly of FIG. 20Aand where the spacers 1506 are extended inward towards an inner axle2102 such that they also function as spokes 2104.

FIG. 21D depicts an exemplary power generation system 2100 like thesystem of FIG. 21C, where the spacers are extended outward towards suchthat they also function as fins 2106.

FIG. 21E depicts a cross-section of part of the exemplary powergeneration system 2100 of FIG. 21D where the fin 2106 of the spacer canbe seen to extend outward from the moveable magnet assembly 2000.

FIG. 22 depicts an exemplary pendulum type moveable magnet assembly 2200including an arch-shaped tube 2204 and an arch-shaped magnet structure2206 where the moveable magnet assembly 2200 extends from a pivot point2202 by an armature 2208.

FIG. 23 depicts an exemplary power generation system 2300 wherebyspacers 1506 and coils 1508 (only one coil shown for clarity) areconfigured around the arch-shaped tube of the moveable magnet assemblyof FIG. 22.

FIGS. 24A-24B depicts an exemplary IQ power generation system 2400 inaccordance with the invention. Referring to FIGS. 24A and 24B, inphaseand quadrature power generation system 2400 includes a magneticstructure 2402 consisting of a first group of three magnets 1302 13041302, a spacer 2404, and a second group of three magnets 1304 1302 1304.The width of the spacer 2404 is one quarter the length of the magnetssuch that the first group of magnets is 90° out of phase with the secondgroup of magnets. The system 2400 also includes a moveable magnetassembly including a tube 1402 and six coils 1508 a-1508 f having wiringcorresponding to the polarity orientations of the six magnets making upthe magnetic structure 2402. As such, as the magnetic structure 2402moves back and forth inside the tube 1402 constant power is generated.

FIGS. 25A-25B depicts another exemplary IQ power generation system 2500in accordance with the invention, which operates the same as the system2400 of FIGS. 24A-24B except the spacer is between the coils making upthe moveable magnet assembly instead of the magnets making up themagnetic structure. Referring to FIGS. 25A and 25B, inphase andquadrature power generation system 2500 includes a magnetic structure2502 consisting of a six magnets 1302 1304 1302 1304 1302 1304. Thesystem 2500 also includes a moveable magnet assembly including a tube1402 and six coils 1508 a-1508 f having wiring corresponding to thepolarity orientations of the six magnets making up the magneticstructure 2502, where the first three coils are separated from thesecond three coils by two additional spacers 2506 having a total widthof one quarter the length of a magnet (1302 or 1304). As such, as themagnetic structure 2502 moves back and forth inside the tube 1402constant power is generated.

Different spacings between the magnets making up the magnetic structureand/or between the coils can be employed to produce IQ generationsystem, three phase power, or other power characteristics.

Various power storage and transfer techniques can be used in accordancewith the invention and that many different types of electricalconnectors, and the like can be used to meet specific applicationrequirements.

Various well known methods can be used to capture and store energygenerated by the generators of the current invention. However, suchmethods are not generally efficient. As such, in a preferred embodimentof the present invention more efficient methods for capturing andstoring energy are employed. Under one arrangement,

Because simple diode capture of energy from a generator is inefficientfrom both an energy standpoint (i.e., energy in vs. stored energy) andfrom an energy density standpoint (i.e., amount of energy generated perunit volume), and because the generators of the present invention maytypically involve low quality energy sources, the present inventionlends itself to the use of techniques that increase efficiency of energycapture and energy consumption.

In order to achieve maximum efficiency of the energy capture andconsumption processes, techniques can be employed that involve switchingfrom voltage to current and back to voltage. More specifically, thegenerator of the invention can be modeled as a Thevenin Theoremequivalent circuit comprising a voltage source connected in series witha resistance where the Thevenin Theorem equivalent circuit is acombination of the contributions of such things as the wire resistanceof the wire used, flux leakage of the magnetic circuit, losses in thecore material (if used), etc. The resistance of this circuit can bedetermined by measuring the open circuit voltage and dividing that valueby the short circuit current. In accordance with the Maximum PowerTransfer Theorem, by loading the Thevenin Theorem equivalent circuitwith the determined resistance, maximum power transfer can be achievedwhich corresponds to one half of the generated power at maximum energydensity. Higher energy efficiency by lowering the energy density bymaking a generator larger. As such, the determined resistance (or load)can be considered the upper end of a tradeoff bracket corresponding to amaximum energy density and 50% energy efficiency. By lowering the load(i.e., increasing its resistance or consuming less power) energyefficiency greater than 50% can be achieved at the expense of energydensity. Similarly, less energy density enables increased resonancecharacteristics. As such, engineering trades can be made.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, real time engineeringtrades are made to optimize both energy capture and energy use by aload. Specifically, a class D amplifier is connected to a load throughan inductor capable of storing the energy of a full cycle of the class Damplifier switch. A memory is used to store a deterministic curvecharacterizing duty cycle values versus load states and generatorfrequency. Alternatively, a polynomial or other comparable algorithm canbe used to calculate the load state based on generator parameters. Aprocessor can use the stored or calculated duty cycle values to controlthe duty cycle of the class D amplifier based on measured generatorparameters. As such, the optimal generator operating efficiency can bemaintained regardless of the rate at which the generator is operated orthe state of an attached load. In a similar manner, a class D amplifiercan be used to control the rate at which energy is efficiently suppliedto a given load. As such, a single processor, class D amplifier, andmemory can be used to control efficient energy generation andconsumption or two circuits (i.e., two class D amplifiers) can beemployed. Several variations of memories, processors, class D amplifiersand the like can be employed to achieve efficient energy generationand/or consumption.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a similar class Dcircuit can be used to transfer energy from one storage unit to another.For example, small generators can store energy in small storage units(e.g., capacitors, batteries, flywheels, etc.) that is collected in alarger storage unit or energy stored in a large storage unit can bedistributed to smaller storage units. Thus, in accordance with theinvention, energy can be efficiently harvested, stored, and transferredthereby enabling concentration and de-concentration of energy as well asenabling mobility of energy.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the resonanceof a generator can be tuned to match the frequency characteristics of anenergy source (e.g., the gait of a walking person) or a harmonicthereof.

These efficient energy generation, storage, and consumption methods canbe applied to various other energy generation technologies such assolar, wind, thermal electric, galvanic, hydroelectric (including lowpotential hydroelectric such as a stream), and the like.

The generators disclosed herein can be used with any form of movement toinclude a person or animal walking (e.g., generator attached to a limb),a fluid flowing (e.g., water or wind), an object being struck (e.g., asoccer ball), an object being turned (e.g., a bicycle pedal mechanism, ahand crank), a shock absorber, and the like. Moreover, multiplegenerators may be used together relative to the same movement source.For example, multiple generators may be combined as part of a windturbine or in a water turbine used in a dam.

Various types of anti-friction techniques can be employed between thetubes of the invention and the magnetic structures therein. Furthermore,the tubes and the magnet structures of the invention need not be roundbut could be any desired shape.

Under one arrangement, a generator of the present invention has a clockthat determines an amount of time that a generator has not been movedand after a set amount of time the generator produces an alarm, such asan audible alarm, a RF pulse, optical flash, or the like.

The various generator designs described herein can alternatively be usedto design corresponding electric motors. As described for the designsabove, for power generation the magnetic structures are moved relativeto the coil structures (or vice versa or some combination thereof).However, for motors current can be applied to the coil structurescausing either the magnetic structure (or the coil structure to move orsome combination thereof). Furthermore, the generator/motor designs alsolend themselves for actuators. Inphase and quadrature designs enablesubstantially controllable actuators whereby movement and positioningcan be precisely controlled.

FIGS. 26A and 26B provide a voltage vs. position plot 2600 and a controlvector rotational plot 2620. The voltage vs. position plot 2600 depictsthe voltage characteristics of two coil structures having an IQ spatialrelationship relative to each other and a magnetic structure (e.g., aring magnetic structure or magnet stack), where a first coil structureis offset spatially by one quarter of a cycle (or 90°) from a secondcoil structure, which corresponds to one quarter of a distance D that amagnetic structure would travel (i.e., rotationally or linearly) asvoltages are applied to the two coil structures for a full rotation of acontrol vector 2622. As depicted in FIG. 26A, a first control signal2602 having a first voltage V_(I) and a second control signal 2604having a second control voltage V_(Q) are used to control the relativemovement of magnetic structure within an IQ motor or an IQ actuatordevice. As such, a magnetic structure at a first position 0 will travel(rotationally or translationally) a distance D as the control vector2622 rotates 360°. For a given control vector rotation Θ 2624, the firstcontrol signal 2602 applied to the first coil structure has a voltage ofV_(peak) sin(Θ) and the second control signal 2604 applied to the secondcoil structure has a voltage of V_(peak) cos(Θ). Because the two controlsignals 2602 2604 have a phase relationship 2610 of 90°, as the twocontrol signals 2602 2604 vary from a peak positive voltage V_(peak) toa peak negative voltage −V_(peak), the first control signal 2602achieves its positive or negative peak voltages while the second controlsignal has zero crossings and vice versa. As a result of the IQ phaserelationship of the control signals of the control system, a constantpower P is required to cause movement of the magnetic structure of themotor or actuator over the distance D, where P=(V_(I) ²+V_(Q) ²)^(1/2).The rate at which the control vector 2622 rotates a full cycle can bedescribed as the IQ driver frequency, which can be sped up or sloweddown over time as required to speed up or slow down a motor or actuatorin accordance with the invention.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the firstand second coil structures of an IQ generator, motor, or actuator areproduced by interleaving the two coil structures. Under such anarrangement, spacers may be omitted between coils of the coil structuresor may be inserted after the coils have been produced. For example,spacers comprising a comb-like structure could be used where byferromagnetic teeth or other shape able the structure to penetratebetween wires of the coils.

A motor in accordance with the invention may require starting coils,which one can be used to start the motor/r from a dead stop. IQ motorsin accordance with the invention may not require starting coils becausea desired frequency can be applied to the I/Q driver to producingrotating torque required to bring the motor up to speed.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an optionalbraking/clutch mechanism can be employed with an actuator, whereby thebraking/clutch mechanism can be disengaged to allow movement of themagnetic structure of the actuator or engaged to hold a currentposition. Use of the optional braking/clutch mechanism enables aposition of the magnet structure to be maintained without power beingprovided to the coil structures. A braking/clutch mechanism may bemanual and may be magnetic.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a feedbackmechanism can be used to provide feedback sufficient to enable anactuator to use a servo motor response to overcome an opposing force.Feedback may be provided by, for example, a linear optical encoder, alinear variable differential transform, or potentiometer.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, variouscombinations of generators, motors, and/or actuators are possible. Forexample, a bicycle could have a generator in accordance with theinvention configured with a front wheel enabling power to be generatedwhile the wheel turns due to the bike being peddled or the wheelotherwise turning, for example, due to the bike traveling downhill. Amotor in accordance with the invention could be configured with the rearwheel enabling power to be applied to the generator in order to turn therear wheel. The generator and motor could be electrically connected,where there could be a power storage device, and the like. The generatorcould produce power whenever the front wheel is turning, where the powercould be converted to DC and stored in a battery. The motor could drawpower from the battery, where the power would be converted to AC, asrequired. As such, the generators, motors, and/or actuators of thepresent invention can be used to support efficient travel, efficientautomation, and the like.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, itwill be understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto,since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art,particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.

1. A electromagnetic structure, comprising: a rotor assembly comprising:at least one circular magnetic structure having opposing first andsecond surfaces that extend around a peripheral boundary region, whereina plurality of emission regions disposed along said peripheral boundaryregion, each emission region presenting poles having opposite polaritiesof a first polarity and a second polarity on said opposing first andsecond surfaces of said circular magnetic structure, wherein adjacentemission regions have alternating pole orientations such that eachemission source having said first polarity is between two emissionsources having said second polarity and each emission source having saidsecond polarity is between two emission sources having said firstpolarity; and a rotational element for rotating said at least onecircular magnetic structure about a rotation axis that is perpendicularto said opposing first and second surfaces; and at least one statorassembly comprising: at least one core element that extends from saidfirst surface around to said second surface to magnetically couple saidpoles of opposite polarities of each respective one of said plurality ofemission regions when said rotor is rotated about said rotation axis;and at least one coil winding wound around the at least one coreelement.
 2. The electromagnetic structure of claim 1, wherein said atleast one stator assembly comprises a first stator assembly and a secondstator assembly, wherein said first stator assembly is positionedrelative to said second stator assembly such that when said first statorassembly is substantially aligned with a first emission source having afirst state on said first surface, the second stator assembly issubstantially aligned with a second emission source having a secondstate on said first surface.
 3. The electromagnetic structure of claim1, wherein said at least one stator assembly comprises a first statorassembly and a second stator assembly, said first stator assembly havinga first coil winding and second stator assembly having a second coilwinding such that corresponding currents through the first coil windingand the second coil winding have the same direction.
 4. Theelectromagnetic structure of claim 1, wherein said at least one statorassembly comprises a first stator assembly and a second stator assembly,said first stator assembly having a first coil winding and said secondstator assembly having a second coil winding, said first stator assemblybeing positioned relative to said second stator assembly such thatcorresponding currents through the first coil winding and the secondcoil winding have an in phase and quadrature phase relationship.
 5. Theelectromagnetic structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one coreelement comprises: a coil element portion of a first dimension forwinding the at least one coil; and an interface portion of a seconddimension positioned closer to the circular magnetic structure than thecoil element portion, wherein the first dimension is different from saidsecond dimension.
 6. The electromagnetic structure of claim 5, whereinthe interface portion has a cross sectional shape a plane perpendicularto the rotation axis dimensioned to correspond to the shape of anemission region.
 7. The electromagnetic structure of claim 1, whereinthe first polarity and second polarity correspond to a code.
 8. Theelectromagnetic structure of claim 1, wherein the code is a Barker code.9. The electromagnetic structure of claim 1 comprising a plurality ofcircular magnetic structures that are parallel to each otherperpendicular to the rotation axis.
 10. The electromagnetic structure ofclaim 5, wherein the circular magnetic structure comprises a circularring structure having a hollow inner portion relative to the peripheralboundary.
 11. The electromagnetic structure of claim 1, furthercomprising a non-magnetic stator assembly alignment template configuredto align the at least stator assembly.
 12. The electromagnetic structureof claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic structure comprises at least oneof a power generator, a motor or an actuator.
 13. The electromagneticstructure of claim 1, wherein said circular magnetic structure comprisesmagnetizable material.